Disclaimer: I don't own any of the original Higher Ground characters. Please don't sue.
AN: For those of you who didn't understand why Scott hates Chase, it's because Chase almost raped Shelby. I said almost, so please don't get mad. If you want more details, please read the last one or two chapters of Maybe Someday. Thanks for all the great reviews!!!
Second Chances
Chapter 3
It took a few seconds for Shelby's words to register in Peter's mind. He swallowed. Her voice was so small, so distant. So hopeless.
"It's ok Shelby, I'm here. Tell me what's wrong." As Shelby had hoped, Peter's words calmed her immediately.
"I-I" Shelby bit her lip. What could she say? That she had failed him? That she had lost hope? "I can't deal with this. Everything is so hard. The world is just too cold." Shelby stopped. She couldn't bring herself to explain the events of that morning.
"Alright Shelby, I'll tell you what I'll do…"
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The silence in the room was deafening. The Cliffhangers' eyes were on Chase as they waited for something to happen, for someone to say something. Sophie searched their emotionless faces for some sort of clue as to how they were feeling, but there were no leads.
"Alright guys, 'I feel' one word, starting with Juliette." Sophie tossed the colored stick to the brunette. Juliette thought for a few seconds.
"Confused." She glanced at Auggie, who was sitting next to her, holding her hand, and then tossed the stick timidly to Scott.
"I feel…" Scott' s eyes shifted from Chase to Peter, who had just walked into the room. His face hardened. "I feel betrayed." He stated angrily, throwing the stick smoothly into Auggie's lap. "Muchacho?"
"Angry." Auggie responded. "EZ?"
"Surprised." Ezra turned to Daisy who was sitting next to him on the couch. "Dais?"
"Vengeful." Daisy glared at Chase. "Chase?" she spat his name out. Chase's face maintained calm and collected as he leveled his gaze at Daisy.
"I feel…unwanted." His voice was quieter than Scott remembered, and it cracked slightly as he forced the sentence out.
"Ok, that was good guys, now why do you feel that way?" Peter took over the session.
"I feel confused because there's so much tension in the room, and I don't understand where it's coming from." Juliette explained quietly. She could feel Chase's eyes on her, and it made her uncomfortable. "What happened to keeping an open mind?" The question was not really directed towards anyone in particular, but Scott knew Jules was talking mostly to him. He ran a hand through his hair.
"I feel betrayed because Peter didn't have to let that guy into our group. He didn't even have to let him into Horizon, but instead he puts him in our group. Do you even care about Shelby?" Scott asked Peter, his voice getting louder as he continued. "I'm not gonna let that prick into our group after what he did to her, and I don't see how you could either." Scott finished, getting up to leave, but Peter pushed him back down into his seat.
"So what you're saying is that when a person really needs help, you want me to just turn them away? He's lost just the way you were when you came here. You let him leave, and he'll do it all over again. Let him stay, and maybe, just maybe, we can get him some help." Peter stood over Scott, who looked away.
"Ok, but why put him with us, not the Trackers or something?" Ezra asked quietly.
"Because his problem is personal to you guys, since you know Shelby. He needs to deal the differences between him and you guys. Not the Trackers." Peter explained calmly. "Auggie, I think you're next."
"I'm mad because I heard what Chase did to Shelby, and I'm sorry Peter but I can't have an open mind." Auggie clarified. "He hurt her, and there are no two ways about that."
"I'm surprised because when you said we had a newbie, I never thought it would be him." Ezra watched Chase closely as he fiddled with the strap of his watch. Daisy swallowed, knowing it was her turn.
"I'm feel vengeful because Chase is the poison that Shelby never spat out. He doesn't deserve to be helped." Daisy said bitterly. "Chase?"
"I feel unwanted because I know none of you are ever going to forgive me for what happened with Shelby. I'm sorry and I want you guys to know that. So all that I'm asking is that you give me a second chance." Chase begged.
Scott's eyes locked with Chase's. He knew what Peter would want him to do and he wanted to listen to him, but Scott also wanted to listen to his heart. The part of him that loved Shelby. He ran a hand through his hair. What would Shelby want?
"I don't know if I can do that Chase. What you did tore her apart. You ripped off the scabs that were healing over her past, without even a glance back. You didn't care what it did to her. Now it's you that needs help and I don't know if I can help you. Not after what you did." Daisy told the pleading teenager.
"Yeah, I'm with Daisy on this one." Scott agreed. "I can't just forgive and forget like that. I need proof that you're worth it. I need a reason that's more than just a request." Scott continued.
"Am I a good enough reason?" Shelby's voice filled the room. Everyone turned to see her standing in the doorway, her bags at her feet…
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I know this is really short, but I'm posting another chapter tonight! Please review!!!